Collegiate

Before yesterday, the Iowa Hawkeyes hadn’t beaten the Illini in Champaign since the 1900’s. It was 1999, but jeez that was 15 years ago. A game that was an absolute must win for the Hawks started out just right. Illinois looked sloppy and Iowa was scoring at will. Aaron White was dunking on people like Tom Chambers, Adam Woodbury was playing like a 7 foot center should, Gabriel Olaseni continued to play out of his mind and be one of the best players on the court, as well as Uthoff and Olgesby knocking down threes with Mike Gesell controlling the game and running the court like Steve Nash. Err, BJ Armstrong? Mike Gesell was just playing pretty good. Oh! Like Jeff Horner! And then, with the Hawks up 21 with almost 10 mins to play in the half, it felt like someone decided to tell the team, “Hey this is the end of the Michigan State game, you guys should try and not score any field goals.” And in unison they all went, “Okay!” It was ugly. Good teams do not go for extended periods of time, (15 minutes against MSU and 7 and a half minutes against Illinois). But good teams do find ways to close these games out. Who was Iowa going to be Saturday? The latter! They decided to play good, well, better and they won! Yay! It really wasn’t that easy. Illinois played tough in the second. I think. I honestly started doing the dishes and flipping back and forth between the game and Modern Family. Listen I love my Hawks. But I also like to watch good fundamentally sound basketball. The Hawks didn’t disappoint. They definitely gave a few people heart attacks, again this year – but you’ll have that. After a tough loss against the Spartans, and a real chance to watch everyone jump off the bandwagon if they didn’t play well in Champaign, the Hawks proved that maybe they are a Final Four contender? Or maybe just one of the Top 2 or 3 teams in the Big Ten. Yeah. Let’s just start there. PS Roy Devyn Marble quietly won Player of the Game honors. Continues to play like a, according to Stephen Bardo “Full Grown Man.”

We are almost 24 hours removed from the Iowa loss to Michigan State at Carver Hawkeye. But I still feel like taking out my anger like this kid. There are a few ways to release the stress and built up anger out after a loss – like bust your desk with a lamp and rip up every DVD case that makes you think of, said, really tough loss. Our good buddy decided to murder his dinner tray. I mainly drank heavily and threw every gold t-shirt I own as hard as I could against the wall. Oh and I also prayed. But big props to this guy for making me, us, and everyone feel better about ourselves. Like I always say before I go to the dentist, “Someone always looks worse than me.”

And please never tell this kid we did actually pick Batista to win the Royal Rumble.

1/28/14 – 9:37pm:As I sit at the local watering hole in the Drake neighborhood, possibly as the only person of age here, I’m left to wonder what happened to our beloved Hawks. Just last week they were touted as a Final Four contender by every ESPN analyst. So tonight, on Super Tuesday, at home against #7 MSU, we were supposed to rise to the occasion. Instead, it was a performance every Iowa fan dreads. Now I wasn’t able to catch the game on the tele (stupid night class), but following the game on Twitter was enough for me. I could get Vine’s of Keith Appling walking to the moon and back, Fran kicking his clipboard, and everything in between. I could also see outrage turn to disappointment as the Hawks squandered yet another chance to prove themselves. 15 minutes without a field goal and shooting 65% from the line will do that to a team. The Hawks are good, will remain good, but were blown up to epic levels by the mothership that they could just not sustain. They have a week to regroup before another Super Tuesday showdown at home against an Ohio State team that desperately needs a win. Beating the Buckeyes, again, might provide some more confidence for this bunch, while a loss could send them in a tail spin that I don’t even want to think about. Until this weekend.. On Iowa!

Big Ten play begins tonight for the Hawks, as they play their final game in 2013 against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at home in Carver Hawkeye Arena. That brings us to Part 3 of our 4 piece season long Iowa Hawkeyes Basketball Predictions.

We thought we could squeeze it into 3 but we decided to bring you a four bagger instead. As of right now, surprise surprise, Adam is ahead of Nick in picking the Hawks season. Only by one game, but c’mon man a wins a win. Especially over your brother.

Nothing has been won yet, besides 11 games by the University of Iowa men’s basketball team. Nick’s record resembles that as he picked 11 of those games correctly – having no faith in the Hawks playing in the Big 10 vs ACC Tournament Challenge.

And while 11 wins entering Big Ten play is far from a disappointment, it is really tough to forget how close those 2 losses were and coulda been, shoulda been wins. Plus to Iowa State?! Like kissing your sister. Good thing we don’t have one.

But moving right along. This is where things get good. The heart of the season. It’s time to put up or shut up. And while the Oh’s Knows predicting the final season record for the Hawkeyes, they most certainly didn’t see eye to eye in the Big Ten.

One of us clearly feels differently about Wisconsin and Illinois than the other. But both brothers agree that playing Ohio State and Michigan State is going to be trouble.

You never know, especially with these Hawks this season. College basketball can get crazy. Half court shots, buzzer beaters, triple overtime games – we could go undefeated!

Well we aren’t that crazy. But here’s to hoping that the first half of Big Ten play goes better than Adam thinks it might..

Six games in the books and it’s not looking pretty for little Nicky. But you know what the best part about Bowl Season is? We are just getting started! There are 29 games left! And if you are into comedy like us, you know that there are 2 dozen teams playing bowl games in January, and playing in January just doesn’t mean the same as it use to.. according to Iowa State Athletics twitter account – wait, what? The Cyclones have never played a Bowl Game in January! How would they know if it’s the same as it use to be?! = COMEDY!

Still trying to wrap our heads around Auburn in the National Title Game. They sure have surprised people as of late, but will that momentum wear off in a month from now when these two meet up? Florida State seems like absolutely no one can stop them, probably why Vegas is giving Auburn 8.5 points – instead of it’s usual two in a half scores that the Seminoles have been favored the majority of the season. A few questions to think about going into this Championship game. Does Auburn have anymore miracles up their sleeves? And/or will Jameis Winston’s Heisman victory (going out on a limb and calling it) go to his head? Tough to think Auburn has a shot in this one, but hell they’ve pulled off crazier upsets.

What we learned last weekend: Florida State just trains rolls everyone they play.

2. Rose Bowl – Stanford vs. Michigan State

This is Old School football. Michigan State has the best defense in all of College Football, and now finally a quarterback who can “manage” the game. Stanford has beat some of the nation’s best teams this year – in the Pac 12, but they have a nice little defense too. This just might end up being the best BCS bowl game of them all. That’s best – not most exciting. Almost 20 years ago Stanford put a whooping on the Spartans, 38-0 in the Sun Bowl, should be a lot closer this time as Stanford is favored slightly. (-1.5)

What we learned last weekend: Michigan State students are crazy.

3. Orange Bowl – Clemson vs. Ohio State

Oh poor Urban Meyer. Said no one. Ever. Ohio State should probably make sure they win out before blaming the BCS. That would have been a viable argument had they actually gone undefeated. Now that we got that out of the bag. This should actually be a pretty good game! With some real athletes in the secondary, the most fun thing to watch will be Sammy Watkins run wild. As long as the Buckeyes players don’t get ejected should be a nice matchup. Even though we just bashed Ohio State – they are pretty good. Carlos Hyde anyone?

What we learned last weekend: Ohio State can’t stand the heat.

4. Sugar Bowl – Oklahoma vs. Alabama

Sources say this is Nick Saban’s last game at Alabama. Wait – we aren’t ESPN. Who knows what the hell Nick Saban is going to do or where he will be next year. As much as you’d love to say it will be a distraction for Saban and his Alabama football players, it won’t be. Saban is too damn good. It’s weird to think that we almost feel bad that Alabama isn’t in the National Championship game. They did win fair and square and barely and unbelievably to Auburn – but because of that means they still aren’t one of the top two teams in all of college football? Doubt it. Oh, Oklahoma will be at this game too. Should be alright – but Bama will run away with this one.

What we learned last weekend: Nick Saban looked/sounded pretty comfortable on the Gameday set.

5. Chick-fil-A Bowl – Duke vs. Texas A&M

This is one of the most interesting match-ups of the entire bowl season. This Duke team will most certainly be nothing like what Johnny Football has ever seen before. Wait Duke? Johnny just turned 21 and he’s got a lot of time to get himself into trouble and not be in shape when this game rolls around. Do we think that will happen? No. But shoot, crazier things have happened with this guy. Duke got crushed by Florida State, sure – but do you think they really want this dream season to end getting blown out in the first bowl game they’ve made since.. Well last year. But they don’t go often. And they aren’t relevant often. So let’s not mess this up Duke, we’re pulling for you.

What we learned last weekend: Johnny Football likes to gamble.

6. Cotton Bowl – Oklahoma State vs. Missouri

Both of these teams have to be less than impressed than the way their bowl bids turned up. Don’t get us wrong, the Cotton Bowl is a great game and it will be fun playing at Jerry’s World – but this time last week their AD’s were probably booking hotels in Florida for a BCS game. Oklahoma State really dropped the ball losing to Oklahoma, losing out on winning the Big 12 and Missouri was one of the hottest teams in the league who would have loved nothing more than arriving in Florida representing the SEC with their middle fingers to the air. Old Big 12 rivals will meet in what’s sure to be a shootout.

What we learned last weekend: Neither team is sure if they want to win the final game of the season.

7. Outback Bowl – Iowa vs. LSU

Yes. We are a bit bias. But – this is a sneaky good game for people who don’t know a ton about College Football. If this game is half as exciting as the last time they met in 2005, you’ll get your money’s worth. On paper, LSU is a heavy favorite (-8.5). But Kirk Ferentz is one of those coaches that A) loves being the underdog – and B) loves the more time you give him to prepare, because it only make’s him better. You’re thinking, “Yeah, no shit.” But not all coaches love having a month off. Shoot, Nick Saban had a month to prepare for Iowa and the Miami Dolphins in 2005 – but how’d that work out for you Nick? Be sure to tune into this game on New Year’s Day. The contrast of speed on each side of the ball should be enough to entertain you.

What we learned last weekend: You can’t lose when you don’t play. But you can win! Kinda..

*Greatest moment of my life. This never gets old.

8. Capital One Bowl – Wisconsin vs. South Carolina

Kirk Herbstreit tried to keep telling everyone that Wisconsin was one of the most underrated teams in the nation. That might have been true back before they got beat by Penn State. They still have a football program? We are looking at this game as the first of three Big 10/SEC Challenge bowl games. (Nebraska v. Georgia and Iowa v. LSU) The last time South Carolina showed up to the Capital One Bowl they got whooped up on by the Big 10. But the last time the Gamecocks played a Big 10 team in Florida Jadevon Clowney almost killed a running back. He’s had a quiet year this year, and James White won’t be having any of that. So let’s do this B1G.

What we learned last weekend: Who knows with the SEC – Big Ten can be exciting though.. with Gus Johnson.

9. Fiesta Bowl – UCF vs. Baylor

Well it was a good ride Central Florida. Vegas has no faith in you as they are favoring the Baylor Bears by just a little bit. (-17.5) But we believe in you! We watched you beat South Carolina this year, this might be a good game! Wait? What? Oh. They didn’t? Sorry UCF – I could have sworn you won that game. It was close and you were right in it! I must have had a few too many to drink that day at the bar. We’ll actually be going into this game. Lot’s of pro quarterback potential here. Looking to start our Mock Draft soon. No, no not really. But you should watch. Think of it as the Boise State vs Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl back in 2007. Anything is possible!

What we learned last weekend: It’s great time of the year to be a Baylor Bear. Unless your RGIII.

10. Alamo Bowl – Oregon vs. Texas

Rounding out our Top 10. Oregon and Texas? When I saw this game I thought to myself, “Whoa remember when these teams played for National Championships? Not against each other. But remember it was separate occasions just a few years ago?” A home game for Texas, I think it’s really the only thing they have going for them and the only chance they might have against this high powered Oregon offense. It seems as if Mack Brown won’t be around for this one, and I’ve watched enough Texas football to know they have a terrible defense. So.. If I was a Texas fan I’d just bank on that whole home game thing. Looks like Vegas doesn’t believe in a bowl-field advantage, (see what I did there?) and is giving Oregon two scores. I’ll take that action. For entertainment purposes only.

What we learned last weekend: Texas fans believe. They seriously believe until the very, very end.